Diamond Harbour drew 1-1 with Dempo on Sunday. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA

Late drama unfolded at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Sunday as an injury-time goal from Hugo Díaz earned Diamond Harbour FC a 1-1 draw against Dempo SC, helping it clinch the Indian Football League 2025-26 title and secure promotion to the Indian Super League 2026-27.

Needing only a point to wrap up the title, Diamond Harbour was trailing from the 50th minute after Marcus Joseph gave Dempo the lead. Díaz’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time took the West Bengal side to 29 points, sealing its maiden IFL title with a match to spare.

Diamond Harbour has now won three promotions in as many seasons, having won I-League 3 and I-League 2 in the previous campaigns.

The visitor showed signs of nervousness in the opening half hour, misplacing simple passes and lacking clarity in attack. The first chance of the match fell to Dempo after a misplaced pass from the Diamond Harbour defence, but Sebastián Gutiérrez sent his effort narrowly wide.

Dempo, playing without pressure, looked sharper in its build-up and made good use of Diamond Harbour’s mistakes, but could not capitalise. Gutiérrez again pulled a long-range effort wide before José Luis Moreno deflected a corner towards goal, only for Melroy Assisi to clear it off the line.

At the other end, Diamond Harbour, despite looking below its usual attacking standards, created two good chances. Mikel Kortazar blazed over after reaching a set-piece delivery, before Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi produced a fine save to deny Díaz, who had found space inside the box following a long throw.

ALSO READ: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal LIVE score, ISL 2025-26: MBSG 1-1 EBFC; Cummings equalises after Edmund goal

Dempo caused several nervy moments in the Diamond Harbour box, with Joseph creating openings for his teammates, but the visitor defended resolutely to go into the break at 0-0.

Dempo was rewarded for its persistence five minutes after the restart. The host won a free-kick at the edge of the box after Seigoumang Doungel was brought down by K. Ajith Kumar. Joseph’s initial effort was blocked by the wall, but the striker reacted quickest to the rebound and fired into the top corner before the defence or goalkeeper could respond, scoring his eighth goal of the season.

Kibu Vicuña responded by introducing Luka Majcen, Bryce Miranda and R. Ramdinthara, but the changes did not immediately produce clear chances to trouble the Dempo defence.

Dempo continued to look the more threatening side, with Gutiérrez causing problems in the Diamond Harbour half. Aubin Kouakou rose highest to meet a free-kick delivery from Gutiérrez, but the defender was denied by a sharp low save from Dheeraj Singh.

Diamond Harbour looked short of ideas and, with heavy rain arriving in the final 10 minutes, conditions became more difficult for both sides. However, after eight minutes of stoppage time were added, the visitor found a way back.

Substitute Girik Khosla delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Díaz, who drifted away from his marker, timed his jump well and planted a header into the net, sealing the point that confirmed Diamond Harbour’s title and promotion.

Published on May 17, 2026